Tags: childhood obesity, diet, food, Jamie Oliver
Renegade Chef Tackles School Food Programs Posted on March 27th, 2010
Finally a voice of reason in a sea of poor food choices. Renegade British chef Jamie Oliver has the gumption to tackle America’s school food program. Oliver whose voice sounds like the adorable Geiko frog, does not mince words when he sheds light on the “slop” that is served on the lunch trays of the next generation of America’s Most Talented – our future leaders, movers and shakers – our kids! Oliver has taken it upon himself to change the way America eats. His new reality show Food Revolution is going to rock a few boats. Shocking statistics show that Huntington West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the country. Oliver, slams what the typical American Mom is serving at home. Plus he challenges the usual lunch room fare – pizza, corn dogs, mac and cheese and yes – MILK – my bête noir and common allergen for most kids. Oliver put the focus on fresh ingredients and nutritious foods – freshly prepared. Jamie Oliver will be successful because he nailed the issue. The foods that we eat reflect our level of respect. He points out the current junk our kids consume indicates a lack of respect by parents and school nutritionists – in effect “child abuse.” According to Oliver a prisoner in a jail cell is given more nutritious foods than today’s kids. Bottom line: Respect your children and feed them foods that will build body and brain to create a generation of winners – not losers.
Tags: Candida Albicans, childhood obesity, Michelle Obama, weight loss
Michelle Obama Tackles Childhood Obesity Posted on February 24th, 2010
First lady Michelle Obama tackles a subject that will have serious future implications unless something is done. Michelle is a competent mother of two and from all accounts there is no obesity in that family. She works out every day, has planted an organic garden and sees that her children are being raised with healthy foods. Not so in every household. With both parents working and many single parent families, home cooked meals have gone by the boards for over two decades. Most people think that childhood obesity is caused by too much food and not enough exercise – valid reasons. But where did the problem originate? In my opinion a little known cause that packs a big punch is the culprit behind the over-consumption of starch and sugar by adults and children alike. I am referring to a strain of yeast called Candida Albicans which gets out of control after a course of antibiotics and a high starch, high sugar diet. Antibiotics are not just over-prescribed but they are also widely used in the beef, dairy, pork and poultry industry. These factory farm animals are fed an unnatural diet and in order to prevent sickness or death, the widespread use of antibiotics is the norm – a good reason to eat organic. In my opinion, every adult and child that I have counseled is dealing with an overgrowth of yeast. Candida Albicans lives in the gut and in healthy people exists in concert with multiple strains of beneficial bacteria in the lower colon. But once the yeast, like a weed in the garden gets out of control, uncontrollable cravings for starch and sugar result – thus promoting over eating. Easy solution: following a course of antibiotics – take probiotics. This re-colonizes the lower colon with beneficial bacteria and prevents an over growth of yeast. Sure let’s get the home cooked healthy meals moved from the back burner to the front. Sure let’s get the consistent exercise going. Sure let’s get the kids outside and away from the TV and video games. But let’s tackle the real problem – Candida yeast one child at a time.